News

PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL 2015, The 5th International Packaging and Printing Exhibition for Asia, will again offer the regional packaging and printing market a sourcing and buying platform Aug. 26-29 at BITEC in Bangkok.
Jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, The Thai Packaging Association and The Thai Printing Association, PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL 2015 is driven by the world’s leading trade shows for the sectors – drupa and interpack.
Participants can look forward to a multifaceted showcase, including the latest machinery and technology for the entire packaging and printing supply chain… more

New York Convention Center Operating Corporation President and CEO Alan Steel unveiled the launch of free wireless service – up to 256K of bandwidth – for all customers and visitors at the Javits Center, the busiest convention center in the United States.
With free wireless service throughout the facility, visitors can experience online access on their mobile devices while in and around the iconic structure on Manhattan’s West Side. Customers who prefer greater connectivity for larger data downloads will be charged at specific rates per day.
The wireless service is part of a… more

New York Convention Center Operating Corporation President and CEO Alan Steel unveiled the launch of free wireless service – up to 256K of bandwidth – for all customers and visitors at the Javits Center, the busiest convention center in the United States.
With free wireless service throughout the facility, visitors can experience online access on their mobile devices while in and around the iconic structure on Manhattan’s West Side. Customers who prefer greater connectivity for larger data downloads will be charged at specific rates per day.
The wireless service is part of a… more

Experient and MGM Resorts International, in partnership with The Association of Equipment Manufacturers have released the whitepaper explaining why dynamic housing models work for the meetings and events industry.
The whitepaper, “Modernize Your Room Block Pricing Model,” can be downloaded for free at http://info.experient-inc.com/modernize-room-block-pricing.
The challenge for all meeting planners and event organizers is to sell the right rooms to the right customer at the right time for the right price. Planners and organizers need to obtain as many rooms as possible for the lowest… more

Production Resource Group has agreed to acquire the XL Video Group, one of the largest providers of multi-market video services.
“By combining XL Video with PRG, we are creating a tremendously valuable resource for event and entertainment producers anywhere in the world”, said PRG Chairman and CEO Jeremiah J. Harris.
He added, “The integrated company will be able to offer an exceptional breadth of production technologies and depth of industry expertise.”
XL Video, founded in 1995, is a multi-award winning provider of creative video solutions for concert touring, corporate events, exhibitions… more

The Convention Industry Council unveiled the names of the 2015 inductees into the CIC Hall of Leaders and the 4th class of Pacesetter Award recipients.
The awardees will be formally recognized a Hall of Leaders and Pacesetters Celebration during IMEX America Oct. 13 in Las Vegas.
“This year’s class of CIC Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Award inductees represent a global footprint of the meetings, conventions, events and exhibitions industry and we are excited to celebrate their expertise, leadership and breadth of achievements,” said Convention Industry Council CEO Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP… more

Nearly 6,900 industry professionals participated in the world's largest car wash event, The Car Wash Show, held in April in Las Vegas.
The total attendance number represented a 22 percent increase, compared with last year's convention and trade show in Chicago and was the event's largest total since 2008.
"We're in the midst of a period of great growth for the car wash industry. Data from our Wash Count program and reports from operators across North America confirm strong wash volumes, ticket averages and profitability," said International Carwash Association CEO Eric Wulf.
He added… more

Negative show rotation in the first quarter of 2015 had an impact on Viad’s overall revenues, dipping to $264.4 million, compared with $285.6 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Global Experience Specialists, a division of Viad, also saw first-quarter revenues decrease to $256.9 million, compared with $277.8 million during the same time period last year.
"Both business groups delivered steady progress toward our financial goals for 2015. Results for the quarter were in line with guidance and the underlying businesses performed well, with continued same-show growth in M&E (… more

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center recently launched its new digital navigation system called ActivLocator. It’s a geolocation tool developed by Sherpa Solutions that allows attendees to use turn-by-turn navigation to find their way to a meeting room, exhibit hall and even specific exhibit booths from anywhere in the facility.
Attendees use a mobile app to access the tool, and once downloaded, the app doesn’t need a cellular or internet connection.
“It will be a tremendous value-add for our customers, because we will be able to map… more

At SMX West this year, Google’s Matt Cutts stated that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if mobile search exceeded desktop queries this year. Though Google hasn't officially backed this prediction, it is obvious that the company agrees with this assessment.
By now, we have all heard about Google's recent release of “Mobilegeddon,” the major update to Google’s mobile search algorithm.
Currently, there are roughly 2.5 times more mobile devices than PCs in use globally. And the gap is growing fast. Thus it is just a matter of time before both mobile… more